How to Configure Checkout Settings in Hostinger AI Builder

This guide walks you through configuring the checkout settings in Hostinger AI Builder, which controls how your online store handles payments, shipping, and customer data during the purchase process. You’ll learn how to access the settings, set up payment gateways, define shipping options, and customize the checkout experience. Before starting, ensure you have an active Hostinger AI Builder subscription with an online store created and at least one product added.

What You’ll Need

• A Hostinger AI Builder account with an active subscription
• A created online store within the builder
• At least one product added to your store
• Payment gateway credentials (e.g., Stripe API keys, PayPal email) if you plan to accept online payments
• Access to your store’s admin dashboard

Step-by-Step

1. Log in to Hostinger AI Builder – Go to the Hostinger website and sign in to your account. From the dashboard, click on the website or store you want to edit.
2. Open the Store Editor – Once your site loads in the builder, look for the left-hand sidebar. Click on the Store icon (usually a shopping bag) to access e-commerce features.
3. Navigate to Checkout Settings – In the Store menu, find and click Checkout or Settings (the exact label may vary). This opens the checkout configuration panel.
4. Enable Guest Checkout – In the checkout settings, look for a toggle labeled Guest Checkout or Allow customers to checkout without an account. Turn it on to let customers buy without creating an account, which reduces friction and can increase conversion.
5. Configure Payment Methods – Scroll to the Payments section. You’ll see a list of available payment gateways. Click Activate or Connect next to your preferred provider (e.g., Stripe, PayPal, or bank transfer). Follow the on-screen prompts to enter your API keys or account details. For test mode, use sandbox keys if provided.
6. Set Up Shipping Options – Go to the Shipping tab within checkout settings. Define shipping zones by clicking Add Zone and naming it (e.g., “Domestic”, “International”). Add regions to each zone. Then, add shipping rates – either flat rate (e.g., $5) or calculated by weight. Save each zone after setting rates.
7. Add Tax Rules – In the Taxes section, enable automatic tax calculation if available, or manually set tax rates. For manual setup, click Add Tax Rate, enter a percentage (e.g., 7%), and choose the regions it applies to. If you’re unsure, consult local tax regulations.
8. Customize Checkout Form Fields – Look for Form Fields or Checkout Form. Here you can choose which fields are required (e.g., phone number, company name). Toggle optional fields on or off as needed. Keep the form as short as possible to reduce abandonment.
9. Set Order Confirmation Page – Find the Order Confirmation or Thank You page settings. You can add a custom message or redirect customers to a specific URL after purchase. Enter your message or URL and save.
10. Manage Abandoned Cart Recovery – If available, enable Abandoned Cart Emails by toggling the switch. Set the time delay (e.g., 1 hour after abandonment) and customize the email template if desired.
11. Save and Publish – After making all changes, click the Save button at the top right. Then, click Publish to make the changes live on your store. Preview the checkout flow by adding a product to your cart and going through the steps as a test customer.

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting to enable test mode – When connecting payment gateways, some users leave test mode on, which prevents real charges. Always switch to live mode after testing.
• Incorrect shipping zone setup – Not adding all relevant regions to a zone results in customers seeing “no shipping available” at checkout. Double-check that your zones cover your target areas.
• Overcomplicating tax rates – Manually entering tax rates without proper research can lead to overcharging or undercharging. Use automatic tax calculation if your provider supports it.
• Requiring too many form fields – Asking for unnecessary information (like fax number) increases friction and leads to cart abandonment.
• Not testing the checkout – Skipping a test purchase can leave you unaware of broken payment flows or missing confirmation emails.

Tips

• Use guest checkout by default – it’s proven to increase conversion rates.
• Offer multiple payment methods (credit card, PayPal, etc.) to cater to different customer preferences.
• Set shipping rates that are competitive but cover your costs. Consider offering free shipping above a certain order value.
• Keep your checkout form to only essential fields: name, email, shipping address, and payment info.
• Regularly review your checkout analytics to identify drop-off points and adjust settings accordingly.
• Enable abandoned cart emails to recover lost sales – they can recover up to 10% of abandoned carts.

Troubleshooting

If your checkout isn’t working as expected, try these steps:

• Payment not processing – Check that your payment gateway is set to live mode and that your API keys are correct. Re-enter the keys if needed. Also, verify that your site has an SSL certificate enabled (usually automatic in Hostinger).
• Shipping not showing at checkout – Go back to shipping settings and ensure you’ve added at least one rate to the customer’s region. If using weight-based rates, make sure your products have weights assigned.
• Checkout page not loading – Clear your browser cache and try again. If the issue persists, check if any custom code or plugins are conflicting. Disable them temporarily.
• Customers not receiving order confirmations – Verify your email settings in the builder. Check that the “From” email address is correct and that it’s not being marked as spam. Ask a customer to check their spam folder.
• Tax calculation seems wrong – If using manual rates, review the percentage and regions. For automatic tax, ensure your store’s country and currency are set correctly in general settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use multiple payment gateways at once?

Yes, Hostinger AI Builder allows you to activate multiple payment methods. Customers will see all available options at checkout and can choose their preferred one.

How do I offer free shipping?

In the shipping settings, create a new rate and set the price to 0. You can also set a condition like “free shipping for orders over $50” if the builder supports conditional rates.

Can I customize the look of the checkout page?

Hostinger AI Builder uses a standard checkout template. You can change the colors and fonts to match your brand via the theme settings, but the layout is generally fixed.

What happens if a customer’s payment fails?

The customer sees an error message and is prompted to try another payment method. You can also set up automatic retry attempts in some gateways, but this is not controlled by the builder.

Is it possible to require account creation for checkout?

Yes, you can disable guest checkout in the settings. However, this is not recommended as it increases cart abandonment.

How do I test my checkout without charging a real card?

Most payment gateways offer a test mode with test card numbers. Enable test mode in the gateway settings, use a test card, and then switch back to live mode when done.

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